I’ve got a very special guest on today’s Inspiring Yoga Mama. I feel very honoured that she agreed to be part of this series…
It’s the fabulous Ayala Homossany, yoga teacher and creator of the Enchanted Wonders yoga cards, which I use so often in my Family Yoga classes!
I met Ayala during her fabulous one day yoga teacher training course and was inspired by her creative and gentle approach to kids & family yoga. A style which I can very much relate to and which is in line with my own approach to teaching. Her one day workshop has completely transformed my classes. Not in the way I teach or what I teach but my own attitude to teaching, self-awareness and creativity.
Ayala (45) has three boys (17, 14, 8) and has been pracitising yoga since her late twenties. Here is what she told me about her personal yoga practice.
What first brought you to yoga?
When I was pregnant with my second child, a good friend of mine told me she tried a yoga class that she didn’t like but she had the feeling that I will love it. She was right. The minute I sat on the mat I felt at home. I felt happy, replenished, peaceful, excited, at the top of the world. True, I was pregnant but still⦠It felt that these yoga classes were just what my body, soul and the little human being inside me needed.
What style of yoga do you practice?
My self-practice constantly evolves. It depends on the way I feel or on the way I want to feel that day. The style that I practice most right now is âListen to Your Own Body and Soul Yogaâ which means that some days my practice will include more mediation, mindfulness, yoga nidra and restorative poses, and some days it will include a very gentle and slow flow yoga. Just like a toddler who learns how to walk.
What is your favourite yoga pose and why?
With no hesitation Savasana – To be able to find that stillness in you is the best gift you can give yourself.
What do you enjoy most about yoga?
Yoga for me is a way of life and I am fascinated with the miracles of life. Yoga enables me to see the beauty in everything and to be able to accept myself just the way I am while trying to be as least judgmental about myself as possible.
When/where/how often do you do yoga?
Whenever I manage to notice my breath I am practicing yoga. As simple as that.
What are your top tips for making time for yoga?
Since I started yoga I had my kids around me. I have learned that there is never a good or a perfect time for me to practice. I could decide to wake up earlier than everyone does, but in some mysterious way my younger son will realise that I am up and will be up with me.
Yoga can be just being able to sit quietly and listen to your own breath. This you can do everywhere and anytime.
What does your family think about you doing yoga?
As my eldest son told me one day after an argument we had – âThis whole yoga thing doesn’t really help you to stay calmâ. My answer was – âso can you imagine how would I look like without practicing yoga?â.
So I believe they appreciate it on most days!
What does yoga mean to you?
Yoga means to me that at any chosen moment I have the tools to connect with my soul and be able to find the way to manifest my Dharma – my life purpose.
What do you do when you donât do yoga?
I laugh, I dance, I write new materials for my one day training and family workshops, I read, I walk in nature, I learn from my kids who inspire me at every level, I love and most of all breathe.
Who inspires you and why?
I feel very grateful as a big part of my teaching involve working with children from early age. I have noticed the way they explore new movements they do with their body for the first time. The first time they step on the sticky mat with their feet and hands, the first time they sit on a bolster (oh⦠they are so many ways to sit on a bolsterâ¦) the first time they bend forward and reach to tickle their toes.
They enjoy to explore the movement over and over again until they master it. I keep that in my mind when I start my practice, always trying to be an enthusiastic explorer and take nothing for granted.
What do you feel passionate about?
I am passionate about working with children and especially about trying to find ways to maintain their curiosity and uniqueness and their ability to question everything.
As Margaret Mead said: âAlways remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.â
Your advice for intimidated yoga beginners?
Breathe and resist the resistant – all you need to know for now is coded within you anyway. Many of our âbadâ decisions are fear based and if we could spot those decisions the sky is the limit.
Make sure to visit Ayala’s website EnchantedWonders.com and follow her on twitter, instagram and facebook.
If you want to be our next Inspiring Yoga Mama or know of anyone who could inspire us then get in touch with Christine on info@yogaberry.net
